President Bola Tinubu on Thursday conferred national honours on prominent Nigerians, both living and late, in recognition of their roles in advancing democracy and fighting injustice in the country.
This announcement was made during his State of the Nation address at the National Assembly as part of activities commemorating the 2025 Democracy Day.
The roll of honorees includes the late Kudirat Abiola, who received a posthumous award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), and Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was bestowed with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Also honoured posthumously were former Chief of Staff, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, and other members of the Ogoni Nine who were executed during the military era. Each received various categories of national recognition, with many conferred the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
“In immortalising these heroes, we are not just honouring their names, we are preserving their ideals,” Tinubu declared. “These individuals paid the highest price or dedicated their lives to our collective liberty. Their sacrifices shall not be forgotten.”
In a significant gesture, the President also announced presidential pardons for some of the posthumous awardees.
“I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State,” Tinubu said.
He emphasized the importance of history in shaping national values and identity, adding that “a nation that forgets its heroes soon forgets its soul.”
Others honoured include Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief Bola Ige, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Prof. Festus Iyayi, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Femi Falana (SAN), Senator Shehu Sani, Dr. Alex Ibru, and Kunle Ajibade among others.
Veteran journalist and publisher, Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu, was also decorated with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), while former Ogun State Governor, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, was similarly honoured.
The complete list, as read by the President, featured over 60 names, representing civil society activists, journalists, human rights defenders, political icons, scholars, and pro-democracy figures.
In Tinubu’s words, “This is a symbolic gesture to further remind us that the democracy we celebrate today was watered by the sweat and blood of patriots. We must never let their sacrifice be in vain.”
